Napoleon Cat Breed Information

Group

Long Haired, Short Haired

Weight

2-4 kg

Length

18-21 cm

Lifespan

9-15 years

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About the Napoleon Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Also known as the Minuet, the Napoleon cat breed is nothing but loving, playful and sweet.

These adorable mixed breed felines inherited some of the best traits from their Munchkin and Persian cat parents.

If you’re thinking about adding a Napoleon cat to your family, you can find everything you need to know about them in this guide – from their history and personality to training and grooming!

What Is the History & Origin of the Napoleon Cat?

The dwarf kitty we know as the Napoleon cat breed dates back to 1996, thanks to a breeder named Joe Smith, who had the awesome idea of crossing a Munchkin cat with a doll-faced Persian cat.

It wasn’t until 2001 that he managed to get TICA (The International Cat Association) to add his new breed to their Experimental Cat Breeds collection.

Finally, in 2011 Teri Harris was responsible for getting the Minuet cat (Napoleon) recognised as a Preliminary New Breed with TICA.

This kitty’s short stature is to thank for its name, the Napoleon cat – after the great Napoleon Bonaparte.

What Is a Napoleon Cat Breed?

The Napoleon cat breed is a relatively new breed, only coming into existence in 1996 as a cross between two existing domestic breeds – the Munchkin breed and the Persian breed group.

Napoleons inherited the genes from their gorgeous parental breeds, which resulted in diverse and beautiful coats in different colours and patterns.

Persian cats typically are very content lazing around all day, curled up in a sunny spot, while Munchkins are quite the opposite – they crave attention and stimulation.

The Napolean cat breed took on a bit of both of their parent’s personalities, making them rather adaptable and easy to care for – whether they’re energetic or relaxed.

Who Is a Napoleon Cat Best For?

Napoleon cats are highly social; they adore being around people!

They are perfect as a family cat. Whether young children or older people, they tend to get along well with all ages and bond strongly with their human families.

With that being said, they don’t enjoy being left alone all day, so if you’re considering getting a Napoleon cat, make sure that your household is fairly active and that they’ll have a companion for most of the time.

What Does a Napoleon Cat Look Like?

If you know how a Dachshund dog looks, you’ll have a good idea of what the body of a Napoleon cat looks like.

They’ve got a medium-sized, distinct low-slung strong body with short legs (or long legs for the non-standard variation).

Napoleons typically have a beautiful little round face with striking big round eyes set fairly wide apart and small to medium-sized ears.

They have a broad, longer nose similar to their Munchkin parent’s nose.

Coat

These cute kitties have a luxurious, plush coat that can either be short or long.

Shorter coats are soft and dense, while longer coats feature a thick undercoat with soft, straight hairs.

Colours

Napoleons come in pretty much any colour – from chocolate, white, sepia, mink, lilac, and everything in between!

Patterns

Just like the range of different colour combinations, these kitties also come in a variety of different beautiful patterns.

Napoleon Cat Grooming & Shedding

Napolean cats typically require a moderate level of grooming and care, but it entirely depends on whether they have a short-haired or long-haired coat.

The short-haired Napoleon will only need weekly brushes, while the long-haired feline will need a lot more regular grooming to keep their coat looking healthy and smooth (especially to prevent matting).

It’s also important to examine and clean their ears frequently to avoid a build-up of grime or infections.

How Do Napoleon Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

If you’re planning on adopting or purchasing a Napoleon cat, get ready for a whole lot of snuggles because these short-legged cats are extremely loving and people-oriented.

Besides being adorably affectionate, these kitties have a playful and curious side too. They are always down to play, so keeping some cat toys around the house is good.

Since they are very sociable cats, they’re prone to getting separation anxiety if you leave them alone for too long. So, this breed is not ideal for those who are away from home for long periods of time.

Living Needs

This breed needs company. While they are great at adjusting to the energy levels of everyone in the house, they don’t do well being left alone.

If you’re thinking of becoming a Napoleon cat owner, you need to make sure that they’ll have the company they need if you are mostly out of the house all day.

Thanks to their Munchkin cat genes, some Napoleons can have higher energy levels, which means they’ll need to have daily playtime – even if it’s only for a few minutes, to get rid of their excess energy and get some mental stimulation.

Therefore, they’ll enjoy an owner who can play with them regularly.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Napoleon Cats?

Habits

The little kitties have been called “confident extroverts” as they love socialising with people and enjoy playing and being active. They’re very curious about their environments (they tend to check out everything).

Activity level

Depending on the traits they inherit from their parent breeds, they can have dynamic activity levels, and despite their short stature – they love to have space to scamper around.

Since they can be more on the energetic side, they are excellent around young children, especially because they aren’t fearful or skittish like some cat breeds.

Vocalness

Napoleon cats are moderately vocal.

They aren’t too demanding, and they’ll mostly become talkative when they want something (attention or food).

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Napoleon Cat?

Height

They are typically 18cm to 21cm tall when fully grown.

Weight

This breed can weigh anywhere between 2kg and 4kg.

Size

The Napoleon is generally a small to the medium-sized cat. As with most cat breeds, sizes can vary.

Are Napoleon Cats Easy to Train?

Ever heard of a puppy-cat?

It’s the perfect term to describe the Napoleon cat because these felines are extremely intuitive, intelligent, and closely connected to their owners that they can easily be trained!

Owners can have fun teaching their kitty how to sit, stay, find treats, and more!

Plus, training your cat gives you the opportunity to take them out with you on a leash. Being as curious as they are, they love to explore new environments, sniff around in the grass and enjoy the fresh air.

Does the Napoleon Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

In general, this cat breed is considered to be fairly healthy. However, they are at risk of developing the same conditions that the Persian and Munchkin breeds are predisposed to.

Common health concerns of Napoleon cats include:

Lordosis: Napoleon cats can suffer from lordosis, a spinal condition that affects their posture and movement.
Cataracts: They may be prone to cataracts, which can impair vision and require surgical intervention.
Polycystic Kidney Disease: This breed is at risk of polycystic kidney disease, a genetic condition that can lead to kidney failure over time.

Regular vet visits will be very beneficial in ensuring your furry friend lives a long and healthy life.

What Is the Lifespan of a Napoleon Cat?

The average life expectancy of Napoleons is 9 to 15 years.

How Much Does a Napoleon Cat Need to Be Fed?

When compared to your human family members, Napoleons will be considerably easy to feed with canned, dried, or raw cat food.

It goes without saying that they need to have access to clean, fresh water. And it’s advised that you don’t give them milk, as it’s not beneficial for their health (most cats are actually lactose intolerant).

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Napoleon Cat in Australia?

Napoleon cats come with a price tag.

Depending on where you go, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,400 to $4,000 and up for a Napoleon kitten. The price will increase based on the rarity of the coat’s colours and patterns.

As the breed is still a recent one, there haven’t been many generations bred yet, making them rarer to come across (and thus the hefty price).

These awesome kitties really are worth every cent, though! And if you can adopt a rescue cat, even better!

Napoleon Cat FAQs

Are Napoleon cats hypoallergenic?

No cat breeds are truly considered hypoallergenic, and unfortunately, Napoleon cats can certainly trigger allergies in those prone to them.

Short-haired Napoleons do produce less dander than the long-haired version, but if you have cat allergies, you’ll still have a hard time being in the same room as them.

What does a Napoleon cat look like?

Just like Daschund dogs, these kitties typically have low-slung, strong bodies with cute, short legs. They are small to medium in size with good muscle structure.

Another distinct feature of this feline breed is a round face with a sweet expression.

Are Napoleon cats friendly?

Friendly is an understatement – Napoleon cats are extremely social, and they adore being around people!

They are excellent family pets, as they love being around small children, and they form a close bond with their human companions.

If you’re planning on becoming an owner of one of these friendly felines, you’ll need to make sure you can dedicate a fair amount of time to spend with them, as they don’t do well with being left all alone.